So I'm upgrading my house

[Bateluer]

Currently, my house has double pane windows with aluminum frames. The double pane glass are not the worst possible solution, but there are a far cry from efficient. And the aluminum frames just radiate the heat right into the house. Measuring their temps reveal they're at 101 degrees at 11am in the morning, likely to get hotter as the day gets hotter.

And the insulation in my attic is cellulose, shredded paper. It's consistent and varies from 6 to 8in in some places. So the R factor varies but is around R19. For reference, the EPA suggests R49 for Phoenix, and you need at least an R30 to qualify for the federal tax credit. So I'm having an R30 level insulation with some quality insulation to bring it up to the R49 level.

On the windows, I'm getting dual pane, insulated, virgin vinyl frames, with argon gas between the panes. Much more efficient than what I've got, and fully qualified for the federal tax credit.

Not a cheap upgrade, but it will definitely add value to my home and will save me money in the big picture.

Zero interest, zero payments for 12 months as well. Not too shabby, provided I pay it off in that 12 month time, which shouldn't be a problem.

/blog.anandtech.com

 

[Evadman]

Argon is pointless, though it is almost impossible to get windows with low-e and without argon. If you are paying for argon, drop it from the list. Make sure your windows are low-e, I don't see it listed in your post.

 

[wiredspider]

I hate window sales people, don't know why I have to get a whole in home sales presentation to get the price for some new windows.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Argon is pointless, though it is almost impossible to get windows with low-e and without argon. If you are paying for argon, drop it from the list. Make sure your windows are low-e, I don't see it listed in your post.

I know of many places where you can get Low-e without Argon. Yes Argon is pointless cus you can't tell when it's gone and it can't be refilled. It's marketing.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: Evadman
Argon is pointless, though it is almost impossible to get windows with low-e and without argon. If you are paying for argon, drop it from the list. Make sure your windows are low-e, I don't see it listed in your post.

Yeah, they're low-e.

 

[Bateluer]

Now, I'm torn on what to do next. Obviously, I'm done with anything major until after the tax credits hit and I pay off the window/attic project.

Replace the 11 year old, 11 SEER unit with a nice 17 SEER, energy efficient, tax credit ready version? Tankless water heater? Not sure if either will really make a difference in my electric bills though, have to see what the electric bills look like.

I'm leaning towards a complete furniture set with a 42+ in LCD TV and surround sound system for the living room?

I'm going to have the tile and grout professionally cleaned in the interim though.

 

[alkemyst]

you can say no to the costco dude.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
you can say no to the costco dude.

??

Don't have a Costco membership.

 

[randomlinh]

what'd you go with for windows? we have 7 windows and two sliding patio doors to replace, but I hate the stupid "we have to come and do an estimate (so we can pitch to you)" crap. I do know I want andersen sliding doors. Their renewalbyandersen company or whatever wants $3k-$4k each!!! I know they are $1k from home depot parts only, seems rather ridiculous it would cost $2k in labor to replace.

but these were only "rough estimates" when I stopped by their showroom.

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: randomlinh
what'd you go with for windows? we have 7 windows and two sliding patio doors to replace, but I hate the stupid "we have to come and do an estimate (so we can pitch to you)" crap. I do know I want andersen sliding doors. Their renewalbyandersen company or whatever wants $3k-$4k each!!! I know they are $1k from home depot parts only, seems rather ridiculous it would cost $2k in labor to replace.

but these were only "rough estimates" when I stopped by their showroom.

I wanted an in-house consultation so I could look at different models, colors, options, etc.
I had 8 windows, plus the sliding glass patio doors, so replacing them all wasn't cheap with installation. But my electric bills are insane the the current windows suck.

The attic insulation was also crap, so that's being done too. Should make a considerable difference in the monthly bills and add some value to my house.

 

[Bateluer]

There's also some painting that I could do that'd make the garage look a lot nicer.